St. John's, Burt, Iowa - News

Building Friendships with Jesus in Our Church and Our Community

Thursday, January 17, 2019

Announcements

January 20, 2019

Second Sunday After The Epiphany

Collect of the Day – Almighty and everlasting God, who governs all things in heaven and on earth, mercifully hear the prayers of Your people and grant us Your peace through all our days; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

The First Quarterly Voter’s Meeting will be held today following the service.

Year End Articles for the Annual Report – Remember to get your year-end articles for the Annual Report in to me. Please, send them to churchoffice@stjohnsburt.org or hand them in to the office as soon as possible.

Altar Guild will meet following the Voter’s Meeting today.

Special Bible Study: Pastor Aaron Hannemann will be presenting to our Sunday morning Bible Study on January 27th at 8:00 a.m. about the mission efforts of The Gate Lutheran Church in Ankeny. This will be a great opportunity to learn about Iowa District West's new church that St. John's is supporting this year.

Lutheran Witness Subscriptions Due - Those who are receiving the Lutheran Witness now and wish to continue, you may pay for those in the church office or mark an envelope and place it in the offering plate. The amount for a year subscription is $ 22.68. If you would like to receive the Lutheran Witness or would like to cancel it you will need to let me know. Rosann, Sec.

Change of Address/Email – Please, submit any of your changes of Address that you have or that of a family member to the church office or to churchoffice@stjohnsburt.org. Also, we’d like your correct email address and cell phone number.

Lessons on the Liturgy - Red or White Wine at Communion?

Our Lord didn’t specify that we use a certain type of wine for the Lord’s Supper, only that we use wine just as He did. Whether we use red or white wine, merlot or zinfandel, is up to our own discretion. Lutherans do, however, have an interesting history concerning our choice of wine. During the Reformation other Protestant churches required the use of red wine during the Lord’s Supper. Since they believed the wine only represented Jesus’ blood as a metaphor then the wine should only be red because it more closely represents blood (they still used wine because unfermented grape juice didn’t exist until the 1900’s). In reply many Lutherans resolved to use only white wine for the Lord’s Supper to confess that Christ can make His blood present in the wine of His Supper no matter the color of the wine.

Worship By Phone - Did you know that you have the opportunity to listen to our Sunday and Wednesday services by phone? St. John's has several phone lines available that broadcast when the church sound system is on. So, if you're sick, in the hospital, out of town, or otherwise unable to join us for worship dial 515-924-4444 and you can worship with us via your phone. You can also listen to Sunday's Scripture readings and sermon at any time at stjohnsburt.org/sermons.

This Week at St. John’s – (January 20, 2018-January 27, 2018)

Today 8:00 am Sunday School/Adult Class

9:00 am Divine Service (Holy Communion)

10:00 am Voter’s Meeting

10:30 pm Altar Guild Meeting

Wednesday 6:00 pm Religion School

Sunday 8:00 am Sunday School/Adult Class with Pastor Hannemann

9:00 am Divine Service

Greeters Next Week: Lyle and Karen Karels

Acolytes: Taylor Parsons

Ushers for January: *David Haase and Mike Bierstedt

Elder for January: Jeff Schutjer

Trinity Bible Studies – St. John’s members are welcome to attend any of the following Bible Studies at Trinity:

Thursday, January 10, 2019

Announcements

ANNOUNCEMENTS and NOTICES

January 13, 2019

The Baptism of Our Lord

Collect of the Day – Father in heaven, at the Baptism of Jesus in the Jordan River You proclaimed Him Your beloved Son and anointed Him with the Holy Spirit. Make all who are baptized in His name faithful in their calling as Your children and inheritors with Him of everlasting life; through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

Year End Articles for the Annual Report – Groups remember to get your year-end articles for the Annual Report in to me. I have started working on them and am waiting for several. Please, send them to churchoffice@stjohnsburt.org or hand them in to the office. Rosann

The First Quarterly Council Meeting will be held today following the service. Voter’s Meeting on Sunday January 20th.

Special Bible Study: Pastor Aaron Hannemann will be presenting to our Sunday morning Bible Study on January 27th at 8:00 a.m. about the mission efforts of The Gate Lutheran Church in Ankeny. This will be a great opportunity to learn about Iowa District West's new church that St. John's is supporting this year.

Offering Envelopes& Year End Statements- New offering envelopes and year-end Statements are in your box if you have not picked them up, please do so. Remember to use the new envelopes starting today. Your number may have changed so throw the old box away if you still have any envelopes left. -- Thanks

Retirement – The congregation of Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church in Horseshoe Bend, AR announce the retirement of Pastor David Tews as of December 31, 2018. We rejoice with him in this next venture in his life with the Lord. The church will be having a retirement party for Pastor Tews today at the church. If you would like to join the church in wishing him well you can send cards to his home at 1405 Oklahoma St., Horseshoe Bend, AR 72512. Pastor Tews was Pastor here at St. John’s from 1972-1977. (Article on ramp bulletin board)

Thank You! Dear St. John’s Family, We’d like to express our heartfelt thanks to all who remembered us during this Christmas season with a card, kind word, and gift. Thank you! Your generosity is amazing and we thank God for the opportunity to serve him and you in such a wonderful place. We pray that the good news of great joy that was born in Bethlehem will lighten your hearts and lives throughout the year. In Christ, Pastor, Beth, and Abby Schlund

Worship By Phone - Did you know that you have the opportunity to listen to our Sunday and Wednesday services by phone? St. John's has several phone lines available that broadcast when the church sound system is on. So, if you're sick, in the hospital, out of town, or otherwise unable to join us for worship dial 515-924-4444 and you can worship with us via your phone. You can also listen to Sunday's Scripture readings and sermon at any time at stjohnsburt.org/sermons.

Lessons on the Liturgy - Lessons on the Liturgy: The Eight-Sided Font

Many baptismal fonts, including ours at St. John’s, are an eight-sided structure. The number eight represents resurrection and new creation. Ever since God created the world in six days and rested on the seventh, time has passed in seven day increments. When Jesus came to save the world from sin He was crucified on the sixth day (Friday), rested in the tomb on the seventh day (Saturday), and by raising from the tomb on Sunday introduced a new eighth day into creation - the day of the new creation. Our eight-sided baptismal font reminds us that all who are baptized into Christ are baptized into His resurrection and are made new creations in Him.

This Week at St. John’s – (January 13, 2018-January 20, 2018)

Today 8:00 am Sunday School/Adult Class

9:00 am Divine Service

10:00 am Quarterly Council Meeting

Wednesday 6:00 pm Religion School

Sunday 8:00 am Sunday School/Adult Class

9:00 am Divine Service

10:00 am Voter’s Meeting

10:30 am Altar Guild Meeting

Greeters Next Week: Ervin and Pat Eimers

Acolytes: Breckin Borchardt

Ushers for January: *David Haase and Mike Bierstedt

Elder for January: Jeff Schutjer

Trinity Bible Studies – St. John’s members are welcome to attend any of the following Bible Studies at Trinity:

Thursday, January 03, 2019

Announcements

ANNOUNCEMENTS and NOTICES

January 6, 2019

Epiphany

Collect of the Day –O God, by the leading of a star You made known Your only-begotten Son to the Gentiles. Lead us, who know You by faith, to enjoy in heaven the fullness of Your divine presence; through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

Installation of Officers will be held today during the service.

Year End Articles for the Annual Report – Groups start working on your year-end articles for the Annual Report. January is the month I will be working on them. Please, send them to churchoffice@stjohnsburt.org or hand them in to the office. Rosann

The First Quarterly Council Meeting will be held on Sunday, January 13th following the service. Voter’s Meeting on Sunday January 20th.

Thank You! We received $948 donations this year for support of LFS topping over our budget of $800. Thanks to all who donated to this worthy cause.

Offering Envelopes& Year End Statements- New offering envelopes and year-end Statements are in your box if you have not picked them up, please do so. Remember to use the new envelopes starting today. Your number may have changed so throw the old box away if you still have any envelopes left. -- Thanks

Worship By Phone - Did you know that you have the opportunity to listen to our Sunday and Wednesday services by phone? St. John's has several phone lines available that broadcast when the church sound system is on. So, if you're sick, in the hospital, out of town, or otherwise unable to join us for worship dial 515-924-4444 and you can worship with us via your phone. You can also listen to Sunday's Scripture readings and sermon at any time at stjohnsburt.org/sermons.

The Blessings of Every Sunday Communion –I’d like to schedule a special Bible study and time of discussion about the blessings of Every Sunday Communion some time other than Sunday morning. If you are interested in attending please suggest to me a day and time that works best for you.

Flocknote – If you haven’t already, please be sure to sign up for Flocknote using the flier in back. As winter arrives we want to make sure you receive your cancellation announcements in the most convenient way for you. After our first few weeks of Flocknote many members have especially enjoyed the announcements, prayer chain, and “text on the text” features as well. Remember that you can update your preferences at any time.

Lessons on the Liturgy - Epiphany

Epiphany is a Greek word that means “shed light upon” or “manifest” or “make visible.” Epiphany is celebrated on January 6th (or the nearest Sunday). On this day we celebrate when Jesus manifested Himself to the Gentiles by way of the magi. During the season of Epiphany we remember various other ways in which Jesus revealed Himself to the world such as: at his Baptism, at the wedding at Cana when He changed water into wine, through His many healings and exorcisms, in His preached Word, and on the Mount of Transfiguration.

This Week at St. John’s – (January 6, 2018-January 13, 2018)

Today 8:00 am Sunday School/Adult Class

9:00 am Divine Service (Holy Communion) Installation of Officers

Tuesday 8:15 am Circuit Winkel at St. Paul, Garner

6:00 pm Preschool Board Meeting

Wednesday 6:00 pm Religion School

Sunday 8:00 am Sunday School/Adult Class

9:00 am Divine Service

10:00 am Quarterly Council Meeting

Greeters Next Week: Mike and Barb Schroeder

Acolytes: none-assigned

Ushers for January: *David Haase and Mike Bierstedt

Elder for January: Jeff Schutjer

Trinity Bible Studies – St. John’s members are welcome to attend any of the following Bible Studies at Trinity:

Thursday, December 27, 2018

Announcements

December 30, 2018

First Sunday After Christmas

Collect of the Day –O God, our Maker and Redeemer, You wonderfully created us and in the incarnation of Your Son yet more wondrously restored our human nature. Grant that we may ever be alive in Him who made Himself to be like us; through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

New Year’s Eve Service at Trinity Lutheran, Algona will be held at 7:00 p.m.

Year End Articles for the Annual Report – Groups start working on your year-end articles for the Annual Report. January is the month I will be working on them. Please, send them to churchoffice@stjohnsburt.org or hand them in to the office. Rosann

January/February Parish Messenger articles are due to Linda Kerkove today.

Installation of Officers will be held next Sunday, January 6th during the service.

The First Quarterly Council Meeting will be held on Sunday, January 13th following the service. Voter’s Meeting on Sunday January 20th.

Thank You from the Hauan Family: (Thank you card posted on bulletin board)

*Dear Brothers & Sisters in Christ, Thank you for the kind Christmas gift, and most especially for our partnership in God’s mission. It is my pleasure to be one of your pastor’s, and enjoy all the time I get to spend with you. God’s blessings this Christmas season. Pastor Hauan

*Thank You so very much for the generous gift of money you gave us. We really appreciate your generosity and Kindness. We are thankful for your partnership and look forward to seeing what God has in store for us all. Thanks again for remembering us this holiday season. Jill, Julia, Cal & Hazel Hauan

The Blessings of Every Sunday Communion –I’d like to schedule a special Bible study and time of discussion about the blessings of Every Sunday Communion some time other than Sunday morning. If you are interested in attending please suggest to me a day and time that works best for you.

Stewardship Corner - The new year brings a new resolve, but so often that resolve fades before the first week is ended. The Apostle Paul advised the Corinthians, “A year ago [you] started not only to do this work but also to desire to do it. So now finish doing it as well, so that your readiness in desiring it may be matched by your completing it out of what you have” (2 Corinthians 8:10,11). By ourselves, we grow tired or bored or just plain lazy. Let us ask the Lord to give us the desire to give generously, to serve joyfully, and to expend our time eagerly in response to what God has given to us and done for us.

Lessons on the Liturgy - The Incarnation

The moment of God becoming man begins the climax of salvation history. While everyone has a favorite Christmas hymn, O Jesus Christ, Thy Manger Is (LSB 372) is among the best at communicating what the birth of Jesus means for us in beautiful poetic style fit for such an occasion. Here are the first four verses:

4Thou Christian heart,/ Who-e’er thou art,/ Be of good cheer and let no sorrow move thee!

For God’s own Child,/ In mercy mild,/ Joins thee to Him; how greatly God must love thee!

Flocknote – If you haven’t already, please be sure to sign up for Flocknote using the flier in back. As winter arrives we want to make sure you receive your cancellation announcements in the most convenient way for you. After our first few weeks of Flocknote many members have especially enjoyed the announcements, prayer chain, and “text on the text” features as well. Remember that you can update your preferences at any time.

This Week at St. John’s – (December 30, 2018- January 6, 2018)

Today 8:00 am Sunday School/Adult Class

9:00 am Lessons and Carols Divine Service (Holy Communion)

Monday New Year’s Eve – Service at Trinity at 7:00 p.m.

Sunday 8:00 am Sunday School/Adult Class

9:00 am Divine Service (Holy Communion) (Installation of Officers)

Greeters Next Week: Melvin and Donna Haase

Acolytes: none-assigned

Ushers for December: *Tony Hatten and Joey Heyes

Elder for December: Boyd Shipler

Trinity Bible Studies – St. John’s members are welcome to attend any of the following Bible Studies at Trinity:

Thursday, December 20, 2018

Announcement

ANNOUNCEMENTS and NOTICES

December 23, 2018

Fourth Sunday in Advent

Collect of the Day –Stir up Your power, O Lord, and come and help us by Your might, that the sins which weigh us down may be quickly lifted by Your grace and mercy; for Youlive and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

Baptism - Graham Harvey Dean Heyer, son of Rachel Feuring and Jesse Heyer, will be baptized into Christ following the service today. Sponsors for Graham are Josh Heyer and Renee Blomstrom. You are invited to stay and participate in the baptismal rite.

Lutherans In Africa Fund is still available now and in future years. If you mark your envelope for an amount to be given to Pastor May the money will still be sent there. Sorry I forgot to announce that at the Budget Meeting last week. Thanks, Pam Reimers

Christmas CDs Available - Last year the faculty and students of the St. Paul's Music Conservatory in Council Bluffs produced a professional Christmas album. These CDs are available to you free of charge thanks to a Thrivent Action Team donation. Take one for yourself and take as many as you'd like to share this beautiful, gospel-filled Christmas music with family and friends. If you'd like to support this ministry of St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Council Bluffs, feel free to make a donation on the back table. Don't be shy about taking as many CDs as you'd like, we can always order more!

Up-Coming Services at St. John’s - Children’s Christmas Eve Program will be held on Monday, December 24th at 4:30 p.m. Christmas Day Service with Holy Communion will be at 9:00 a.m. on December 25th.

New Year’s Eve Service - St. John's is invited to give thanks for the past year and pray for the year to come with Trinity, Algona at their New Year's Eve Divine Service. The service at Trinity will be Monday, Dec. 31 at 7:00 pm.

Year End Articles for the Annual Report – Groups start working on your year-end articles for the Annual Report. January is the month I will be working on them. Please, send them to churchoffice@stjohnsburt.org or hand them in to the office.

The Blessings of Every Sunday Communion –I’d like to schedule a special Bible study and time of discussion about the blessings of Every Sunday Communion some time other than Sunday morning. If you are interested in attending please suggest to me a day and time that works best for you.

January/February Parish Messenger articles are due to Linda Kerkove by December 30th.

Lessons on the Liturgy -Phos Hilaron

The Phos Hilaron, or, Hymn of Light is a hymn composed in the 3rd Century which still sung by Christians today. We sing this hymn during Evening Prayer (LSB 244). When we sing this hymn as the sun is setting we remember and praise the Joyous Light of Glory, Jesus Christ, who is the Light no darkness can overcome, who led Israel by a pillar of fire by night and who leads us by his Word which is is a lamp to our feet and a light to our path. The words of the hymn are easy to learn by heart and make a great spoken or sung prayer every evening, especially in these darkest days of winter:

We have come to the setting of the sun, and we look to the evening light.

We sing to God, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit:

You are worthy of being praised with pure voices forever.

O Son of God, O Giver of life: the universe proclaims Your glory.

Flocknote – If you haven’t already, please be sure to sign up for Flocknote using the flier in back. As winter arrives we want to make sure you receive your cancellation announcements in the most convenient way for you. After our first few weeks of Flocknote many members have especially enjoyed the announcements, prayer chain, and “text on the text” features as well. Remember that you can update your preferences at any time.

This Week at St. John’s – (December 23, 2018 – December 30, 2018)

Today 8:00 am Sunday School/Adult Class

9:00 am Divine Service

10:00 am Baptism of Graham Heyer

Monday 4:30 pm Christmas Eve Children’s Program

Tuesday 9:00 am Christmas Day Divine Service (Holy Communion)

Sunday 8:00 am Sunday School/Adult Class

9:00 am Lessons and Carols Service (Holy Communion)

Greeters Next Week: Roger Lavrenz

Acolytes: Peyton Marlow

Ushers for December: *Tony Hatten and Joey Heyes

Elder for December: Boyd Shipler

Trinity Bible Studies – St. John’s members are welcome to attend any of the following Bible Studies at Trinity:

Thursday, December 13, 2018

Announcements

December 16, 2018

Third Sunday in Advent

Collect of the Day –Lord Jesus Christ, we implore You to hear our prayers and to lighten the darkness of our hearts by Your gracious visitation; for Youlive and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

Lutherans In Africa Fund is still available now and in future years. If you mark your envelope for an amount to be given to Pastor May the money will still be sent there. Sorry I forgot to announce that at the Budget Meeting last week. Thanks, Pam Reimers

Advent Open House – The Cowell Family would like to invite St. John’s to their home on Sunday, December 16th from 2-5 p.m. for their annual Open House. Address: 609 E Kennedy St. Algona, Iowa.

Adopted Family – We have adopted a family again this year. One Adult and 4 children

Cash donations and Gift Cards can be left in the church office or given to Deb Steven or Doris Blocker.

A box will be available in the back of the church for you to put your wrapped and marked gifts.

A list of all the above is on the back table in more detail. Be sure to pick up one before you go shopping.

Christmas CDs Available - Last year the faculty and students of the St. Paul's Music Conservatory in Council Bluffs produced a professional Christmas album. These CDs are available to you free of charge thanks to a Thrivent Action Team donation. Take one for yourself and take as many as you'd like to share this beautiful, gospel-filled Christmas music with family and friends. If you'd like to support this ministry of St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Council Bluffs, feel free to make a donation on the back table. Don't be shy about taking as many CDs as you'd like, we can always order more!

Children’s Christmas Program Practice - Saturday, December 22nd at 9:00 a.m. is our final Dress Rehearsal practice for all Preschool-High School Students.

January/February Parish Messenger articles are due to Linda Kerkove by December 30th.

Lessons on the Liturgy -The Great O Antiphons

The beloved Advent hymn O Come, O Come, Emmanuel finds its origins in a seven-day prayer dating back to at least the 8th century. The prayer begins on Dec. 17th and ends on Dec. 23rd. Each day has a different “O antiphon” which features a particular name of Jesus and a prayer focusing on the salvific attributes of each name. The antiphons include O Wisdom, Adonai, Root of Jesse, Key of David, Dayspring, King of the Nations, and Emmanuel. The prayer is printed in the hymnal following O Come, O Come, Emmanuel (LSB 357). Take a picture with your phone or ask Pastor to make a copy for you and pray these prayers with the Church of all ages in the week ahead.

Flocknote – If you haven’t already, please be sure to sign up for Flocknote using the flier in back. As winter arrives we want to make sure you receive your cancellation announcements in the most convenient way for you. After our first few weeks of Flocknote many members have especially enjoyed the announcements, prayer chain, and “text on the text” features as well. Remember that you can update your preferences at any time.

The Blessings of Every Sunday Communion –I’d like to schedule a special Bible study and time of discussion about the blessings of Every Sunday Communion some time other than Sunday morning. If you are interested in attending please suggest to me a day and time that works best for you.

“A Musical Christmas” – The Algona Cornbelt Chorus and Glen Henriksen will hold a Christmas Concert at the Wilcox Performing Arts Center today at 3:00 p.m. This concert will feature the Algona High School Chamber Singers; Bishop Garrigan High School Choir along with the Cornbelt Chorus. Free Will Donation will be taken with proceeds to go to the Brushy Creek Honor Flight.

This Week at St. John’s – (December 16, 2018 – December 25, 2018)

Today 8:00 am Sunday School/Adult Class

9:00 am Divine Service (Holy Communion)

2-5:00 pm Cowell Advent Open House

Wednesday 6:00 pm Religion School

6:30 pm Advent Service

Saturday 9:00 am Children’s Christmas Dress Rehearsal Practice

Sunday 8:00 am Sunday School/Adult Class

9:00 am Divine Service

Monday 4:30 pm Children’s Christmas Eve Program

Tuesday 9:00 am Christmas Day Service (Holy Communion)

Greeters Next Week: Karla and John Schutter

Acolytes: *none assigned

Ushers for December: *Tony Hatten and Joey Heyes

Elder for December: Boyd Shipler

Trinity Bible Studies – St. John’s members are welcome to attend any of the following Bible Studies at Trinity: